From restoring forests to river basins, seven conservation initiatives across continents recognised by UN Subject: Environment Section: International Conventions Context: The United Nations has named seven initiatives from Africa, Latin America, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia as World Restoration Flagships. These projects aim to revive and preserve ecosystems on the brink of degradation […]

    Gupteswar forest in Odisha declared as Bio-Diversity Heritage site Subject: Environment Section: Protected Area Context: The pristine Gupteswar Forest, adjacent to Gupteswar Shiva temple in Odisha’s Koraput district has been declared as the fourth Biodiversity-Heritage Site ( BHS) of the state. Details: The state has now four BHSs. The other three are Mandasaru […]

    Cutting lianas can boost carbon sequestration in forests, finds study Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: A study published in 2023 has shed light on the carbon sequestration and timber production benefits of removing lianas, long-stemmed woody vines, from trees in managed forests. Details of the study: Lianas, which can significantly hinder […]

    Migratory species facing peril globally show the report, as CMS COP14 begins in Samarkand Subject: Environment Section: International Conventions Context: A report released at the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) of Wild Animals in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on February 12, 2024, highlights the dire […]

    Is the Great Indian Bustard on the verge of local extinction? Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: The Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a critically endangered bird with a global population of fewer than 140 individuals, faces the threat of local extinction in the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, […]

    Brumation: winter is coming for reptiles Subject: Environment Section: Ecosystem Context: An alligator observed lying still underwater with only its snout visible may not necessarily be dead; it could be undergoing brumation. What is brumation? Brumation is a period of dormancy in reptiles, akin to hibernation in mammals, that occurs during colder months […]

    What are the changes in the new Water Act? Subject: Environment Section: Biodiversity Context: The Lok Sabha passed the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 to replace the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, of 1974. What is the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974? The […]

    Pollinator-plant interactions disrupted by nitrate radicals Subject: Environment Section: Biodiversity Context: Air pollutants reduce nocturnal hawkmoth pollination of evening primrose flowers by altering the flowers’ appealing scents, as per a study. Details: The findings illustrate the impact of anthropogenic airborne pollutants on an animal’s olfactory ability and suggest that such pollutants may limit […]

    More wild water buffaloes in central India to fix population decline and ecological degradation Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: A recent study focuses on the revival possibilities of the wild water buffalo, proposing a strategic reintroduction plan in the Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. While the northeastern population of the species […]

    Clean water crisis: Nitrogen pollution to triple scarcity in river sub-basins worldwide Subject: Environment Section: Pollution Context: The growing crisis of water scarcity is worsened by declining water quality across various regions, with a particular focus on nitrogen pollution in rivers. Clean Water Scarcity: Study findings This issue, first recognized in 2010, is […]